Tapantosh Chakrabarty, a 76-year-old marathon veteran from Calgary, has etched his name in the annals of running history by becoming the oldest recipient of five Six-Star Medals from the Abbott World Marathon Majors. Completing the Tokyo Marathon for the fifth consecutive time earlier this year, Chakrabarty’s journey from a novice to a seasoned marathoner epitomises resilience and an unwavering passion for the sport.
A Journey of Pain and Perseverance
Chakrabarty’s marathon experience began in 2000 during the Vancouver Marathon, which almost deterred him from pursuing the sport further. After feeling fine for the majority of the race, he faced significant challenges in the final 10 kilometres. “I could feel muscles in my legs tightening up here and there,” he recalled. “Then it started to feel like my brain was shaking.” By the time he crossed the finish line, he was in such agony that he had to shuffle sideways, resembling a crab.
Despite his immediate vow never to run another marathon, the pain subsided quickly, and he soon found himself invigorated by the sense of accomplishment. “After three or four days, the pain went away, and I felt good,” he said. This transformative experience ignited a fire in Chakrabarty, leading him to complete 70 marathons and an ultramarathon in Durban, South Africa, since that fateful day.
Achievements Across Continents
Chakrabarty’s accomplishments extend across all seven continents, showcasing his tenacity and commitment to the sport. He has participated in prestigious events such as the Boston and New York marathons seven times each, and has run in Berlin, London, Chicago, and Tokyo six times each. His remarkable feat of running six major marathons in a single year across 2023, 2024, and 2025 further underscores his dedication.
His fastest finish was clocked at 3 hours, 47 minutes, and 13 seconds in St. George, Utah, in 2009. Yet, his journey has not been without its challenges. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2010 and facing a critical heart condition in 2015, Chakrabarty has continued to defy the odds. “Marathon running isn’t fun but you get a medal, which is different from every other sport,” he noted, reflecting on the recognition that comes with crossing the finish line.
Life Beyond the Finish Line
Born in Matlab, Bangladesh, Chakrabarty’s early life was fraught with hardship. He lost his father to cholera at a young age and fled his homeland with his mother during the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971. Their perilous journey involved nights spent walking to evade danger, eventually leading them to refuge in India. Despite these adversities, he excelled academically, ultimately earning a master’s degree and a PhD in chemical engineering from the University of Waterloo.
His professional career with Imperial Oil and Exxon as a petroleum engineer further exemplifies his remarkable journey. Chakrabarty’s marathon experiences have taken him to breathtaking locations, from the Entabeni Wildlife Safari Conservancy in South Africa, where wildlife officials guarded runners from lions, to racing at the base camp of Mount Everest.
A Catalyst for Change
Chakrabarty’s impact extends beyond his personal achievements. He is regarded as an inspiration in his home country of Bangladesh, where he has sparked a revolution in marathon running. “Fifteen years ago, there was not a single marathon there. Now there are so many half-marathons and marathons that you wouldn’t believe it,” he stated proudly.
He funds his marathon pursuits through retirement savings, highlighting his dedication to health and well-being rather than monetary gain. “I’m alive because I am running,” he affirmed, advocating for the healing power of the sport, even in the face of illness.
Why it Matters
Tapantosh Chakrabarty’s extraordinary story is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. His achievements not only underscore the potential for personal transformation through sport but also serve as a beacon of hope for those facing their own challenges. By demonstrating that age is no barrier to accomplishment, Chakrabarty inspires countless individuals to pursue their passions, proving that it is never too late to embark on a journey of health and self-discovery.
